WACO, Texas – The ninth-ranked and eighth-seeded Baylor women's tennis team began its NCAA Championship run by blanking Northwestern State, 4-0, Saturday at the Hurd Tennis Center.
The Bears (26-6) won their seventh-straight match and recorded their 18th-shutout of the season over the Lady Demons (16-9).
In doubles action, the 42nd-ranked pairing of Kelley Anderson and Leolia JeanJean beat Kateryna Piatakova and Polina Ivanova, 8-1, on court two.
Then Blair Shankle and Kiah Generette took down Aliona Ladutska and Emily Kerr, 8-5, on court to give BU the opening point. It was the BU duo's fifth victory in a row.
In singles play, Anderson continued her quality play with a 6-4, 6-1 victory over Piatakova on court five. That victory gave the freshman Bear five straight singles wins.
The 22nd-ranked Ema Burgic finished off a 6-2, 6-0 triumph over Tatiana Larina at the top of the lineup to put Baylor ahead 3-0.
To clinch the match, the 41st-ranked Shankle bested Ladutska, 6-1, 6-2 on court three. It was the BU sophomore's 12th-straight victory.
STAT OF THE DAY
11 - the number of consecutive years BU has advanced to the second round of NCAA play
NOTABLES
- It was Baylor's 18th shutout of the season.
- BU is now 13-5 and 11-1 under head coach Joey Scrivano all-time in NCAA first round matches.
- Baylor is 30-17 all-time in NCAA play and 27-11 under Scrivano.
- Baylor is 19-2 at home this season, and improved to 19-0 in NCAA Championship play when hosting.
- Baylor advanced to the NCAA second round for the 11th straight season and the 13th-time overall.
- Baylor now leads the all-time series against Northwestern State, 6-1.
TOP QUOTE
“Northwestern State is a tough team. They pushed us in a lot of positions. That's what you want in the first round, instead of a cake walk and not face any adversity. I was impressed with the way our girls responded to that. It was a good first match, and we get a tougher one tomorrow." – head coach Joey Scrivano on the match
WHAT'S NEXT
The Lady Bears will take on 28th-ranked Rice (17-8) Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Hurd Tennis Center. Baylor has defeated the Owls twice this season by 4-0 scores. BU took out the Owls 4-1 in the second round of last season's NCAA Championship run.
